yobynaes said:
well, basically, i got these pamphlets from navy offering full tuition coverage for med school. Anyone had experiences with that? pros/cons? how would that limit my choice of residency and later career.
any comments are appreciated.
I looked into doing the Army version of the program; basically, they're all running the same scholarship (Health Professions Scholarship Program, HPSP). I spoke to recruiters from a couple of branches and even went as far as flying to a medical center (generously paid for by the USArmy) for a tour.
The big question is- do you want to be a military doc for the rest of your life? When you sign that paper, you are committing a significant part of your life to the military, and they don't give take-back-sies if you change your mind. If you don't do what they tell you and go where they tell you, it's a felony and possibly the end of your medical career.
Check very thoroughly into the commitment requirements, too. The recruits to whom I spoke were ambiguous and unclear... I thought it was 1for1 at first, but I left with the impression that after I complete residency I would somehow owe them 8 years...
With that said, the residents to whom I spoke said they enjoyed their experience and that being in the Army significantly helped with their leadership skills. They also have the obvious benefit of leaving med school not only debt free but with a little money in your pocket. However, the residents also told me that you're practically guaranteed to spend at least one 6 month stint in a current war-zone (Iraq) as soon as you pass USMLE III.
If being in the military is one of your goals in life, then go for it. Otherwise, I say the money alone is not worth the commitment.
though i can use a free travel/tour. 
